Virginia state task force calls for more recycling business opportunities, possible EPR policies

A group with recycling industry representation offered recommendations to divert more waste from landfills, but stopped short of recommending EPR for packaging or reaching consensus on a possible bottle bill.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 18, 2023

Nashville launching $4.8M curbside recycling expansion

The Recycling Partnership, which is providing a grant, predicts that a shift to biweekly collection in the fast-growing Tennessee city could generate 156 million new pounds of recyclables over the next decade

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 18, 2023

6 waste and recycling trends to watch in 2023

The effects of ongoing M&A, the biogas boom, and regulatory and financial debates around plastics are among the most complex topics on Waste Dive’s radar in the new year.

By Cole Rosengren , Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2023

New York Gov. Hochul says EPR for packaging a major priority in 2023

Hochul announced Tuesday she would introduce EPR for packaging legislation for the second time. Multiple efforts to pass versions of the policy through the state budget and legislative process failed in 2022.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 11, 2023

Loop touts retail store expansion as standalone e-commerce program sunsets

The TerraCycle-backed reusable container program is now working with 37 U.S. retail stores, including Fred Meyer, Giant Food and Walmart.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 10, 2023

Stadiums pursue new technologies and tactics to boost waste diversion

As fans flock back to large venues, many are seeing new or updated waste initiatives. Operators are experimenting with different collection systems, reusable cups, reverse vending machines, on-site sorting and more.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Jan. 19, 2023

Right-to-repair advocates expect more bills in 2023 after New York success

Advocates were disappointed after New York’s first-of-its-kind law was amended to limit eligible products, but they expect continued momentum despite fierce lobbying. Such laws are also supported by electronics recyclers.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 6, 2023

By the numbers: 2022 waste and recycling trends with implications for 2023

Key data points on some of the top issues — M&A, ESG, inflation and policy — that illustrate another eventful year for the industry.

By Megan Quinn , Cole Rosengren , Maria Rachal • Jan. 4, 2023

Where recycling and waste laws changed on Jan. 1

California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C., are among the jurisdictions enforcing new recycling and waste laws as of Jan. 1, including bag fees, bottle bill updates and organics diversion mandates.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 4, 2023

Top interviews with waste and recycling leaders in 2022

Read some of the year’s most popular conversations with CEOs from Republic Services, WIN Waste Innovations, LRS and Vanguard Renewables, as well as leaders from WM, the U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Dec. 22, 2022

What’s next for renowned Minneapolis organics recycling program

More than half of eligible households have opted in to the city’s program, and Hennepin County considers this approach a model for the region. Potential policy and collection changes could aid further progress.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 20, 2022

Chicago looks to turn the page on recycling challenges, accelerate progress on waste plan

Stakeholders from the Department of Streets and Sanitation, LRS and the nonprofit Delta Institute weigh in on composting plans and what’s next for a city that has long been portrayed as lagging on recycling. 

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 15, 2022

Garcetti signs plastic reduction ordinance during final days as Los Angeles mayor

Starting in 2023, the law will phase out expanded polystyrene foam containers, tighten single-use plastic bag restrictions and limit waste at city facilities. Mayor Karen Bass is expected to continue a similar focus on environmental issues.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 13, 2022

Specialty recycling pick-up services flip the script on items accepted curbside

Services from Ridwell, Rabbit Recycling, TerraCycle, Casella Waste Systems and others are seeing growth as consumers want more options for hard-to-recycle products. Yet some are also navigating cost and legal challenges.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2022

DC revisiting 2032 zero waste target as it proposes new policies, plans curbside compost pilot

Public works leaders hope that a forthcoming zero waste plan will accelerate efforts and help the District “leapfrog” over other cities. But the nation’s capital also has some unique demographic and infrastructure challenges.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 8, 2022

Los Angeles and San Diego ban polystyrene foam, other plastic products, on same day

The policies fit into broader state and local laws limiting plastic products, completing an effort in San Diego that a lawsuit previously blocked. Los Angeles will also look to limit waste at city facilities and events.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 7, 2022

WASTECON host city San Diego plans organics, trash, plastics changes

With updated waste and circular economy goals as part of its climate action targets, the city is moving forward on key policy and infrastructure actions, an elected official detailed at the conference’s opening session.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 6, 2022

The US waste and recycling industry in 2022 — what you need to know

Stories on M&A, recycling policy and organics recycling expansion — and how the economy and environmental justice considerations are shaping the industry’s path forward — have driven the news this year.

Dec. 5, 2022

Could the launch of organics collection in one New York borough pave the way to citywide service?

After collecting 2,850 tons of organic material, at a lower cost than usual, the Department of Sanitation is touting the success of its new program. Advocates are urging action on a long-envisioned citywide launch.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 2, 2022

Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

Zero waste jobs are opportunities to support workers from overburdened communities, according to speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference, but they must prioritize circular economy and environmental justice principles.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 2, 2022

How local governments are charting the future of zero waste

See Waste Dive’s map of which U.S. communities are pursuing zero waste, plus insights from leaders in the field on the concept’s past, present and future.

Updated Dec. 20, 2022

Mapping zero waste cities: Where local governments are pursuing waste prevention and diversion

Waste Dive is tracking which communities throughout the U.S. have zero waste goals, how they define those efforts and how much progress they’ve made.

By Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren , Julia Himmel • Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Beyond recycling: What’s next for effective zero waste planning

Despite constraints, experts say that bringing more voices to the table, linking efforts to climate and economic resilience goals, pursuing public-private partnerships and looking for non-policy solutions can all advance progress.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 30, 2022

A history of US cities adopting zero waste goals

The concept has become a mainstream part of municipal waste planning, experts say, even as targets largely remain aspirational and some recent efforts have faced pandemic-related setbacks.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 30, 2022

Seattle plans to move beyond diversion rate goals as it doubles down on waste prevention

Through its current solid waste plan update, Seattle Public Utilities hopes to develop metrics that better reflect the environmental and circular economy benefits from the city’s progress on waste prevention and reuse.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 28, 2022